Karapuranathar Temple, Uthamacholapuram, Salem
Karapuranathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Uthamacholapuram
in Salem District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is one of the Marriage Parihara Sthalams of Tamilnadu but the strange fact here is prayers are being conducted before Tamil poet
Avvaiyaar.
Presiding Deity is called as Karabureswarar and is said to have
emerged Suyambu. The temple is said to be over 1200 years old.
It is
believed that the famous Tamil poet Avvaiyar is said to have presided over the
marriage of Angavai and Sangavai, the two daughters of King Pari, extensively
covered in Tamil history. In fact, there is a life-size statue of Avvaiyar
placed at the entrance of the temple.
There
are Epigraphical evidences about the presence of the three kings in this temple
visiting for worship. The place where Chola stayed is called Uthamacholapuram,
as that of Pandya as Veerapandi and Chera’s as Servarayanmalai. The linga is in
a slanting position on one side.
Legends
Karapuranathar:
Khara and Dushana were man-eating Rakshasas mentioned in Ramayana. According to Ramayana, Dushana and his
twin brother Khara, younger brothers
of Ravana, were demons who
ruled the Dandaka Forest. Once, both of them undergone penance on Lord Shiva for
several years. Despite their austere penance, Lord Shiva didn’t appear before
them. Lost hope in getting Lord Shiva darshan, both of them decided to jump
into the Yagna pit. Merciful Lord Shiva appeared before them. Both brothers
worshipped Lord Shiva. Khara built this Temple in remembrance to this event. Hence,
Lord Shiva came to be called as Karapuranathar.
Mudisaithanathar:
Once, Gunaseelam, a young boy
wanted to worship Lord Shiva of this Temple. As the Lingam was too tall for his
height, he could not able to put garland on Lord Shiva. He prayed and cried to
Lord Shiva about his inability to offer garland to Lord Shiva. Merciful Lord
Shiva lowered his head to accept the garland offered by him. Even till date, the
Lingam can be found in a slanting position to confirm this story. Hence, Lord
Shiva came to be called as Mudisaithanathar.
Angavai
and Sangavai Marriage:
Pari Vallal is one of the seven
great patrons of Sangam period. He had
two daughters namely Angavai and Sangavai. The three crowned Tamil Kings Cheras, Cholas and pandyas expanded their kingdoms ruthlessly and tuurned their attention towards independent Velir Kings thus turning them into subordinates of eliminating them and assimilated their Kingdoms. They laid seige to the heavily fortified country of Parambu, but Vel Pari refused to give in and the war drageed for years. Kabilar approached the Kings and asked them to turn back describing his patron Pari as an unconqurerable warrior. After a long war, Vel Pari was killed by treachery.
After King Pari Vallal’s death,
his daughters Angavai and Sangavai had suffered a lot. The poet Kabilar, a good
friend of Pari and the caretaker of the girls could not find a suitable groom
for them because of King Pari’s enmity with the rest of the kings. Kabilar
requested the great poetess Avvaiyar, who was also a good friend of him, to
help him arrange their marriage. Unable to bear the agony of not being able to
help his friend’s daughters, he went to a cave and started fasting till his
death. It was after his death that Avvaiyar finally convinced prince Deiveekan
and Enadhi Kannan, sons of Malaiman Thirumudi Kari to marry the girls. They
agreed to marry if Avvaiyar could convince the three crowned Kings of Tamil
Nadu.
Avvaiyar agreed and came to
Karapuram. She prayed to Lord Ganesha to help her in convincing the three
crowned Kings of Tamil Nadu. She invited the three crowned Kings of Tamil Nadu.
Kings accepted her invitation on a condition that she would be able to make
fresh leaves sprout from a dried palm tree at the temple. Avvaiyar worshipped
Lord Shiva and sang hymns in praise of Karapuranathar. To everyone surprise, fresh
leaves came out from the dried tree and also fruits. As promised, three crowned
kings attended the marriage and blessed them.
Kanjamalai
Karadi Siddhar:
Kanjamalai Karadi Siddhar, a Siddhar
in the form of a bear worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. It is believed that
he was also present during Avvaiyar miracle of converting dead tree to live
one. He attained his Jeeva Samadhi at this Temple.
The
Temple
The
Shivalinga in the temple is slightly slanting. The construction of the Main
Tower (Rajagopuram) was taken up during the Chola period but was not completed.
The Government of Tamilnadu took up the construction, completed it and
performed the consecration on 9th February, 1992.
The
consecration of the temple was conducted 73 years ago. A wooden car (rath) was made;
a trial run was taken with a festival on Chitra Poornima day. Since then
festivals are conducted with Chandi Homam, Pradosha pujas all the 12 months of
the year.
The
statues of the three Tamil Kings – Chera, Chola and Pandya are placed in the
entrance of the temple. There is also a statue for the great Tamil Poetess
Avvaiyar which is the biggest in Tamilnadu. The antiquity and historical
importance of the temple add to its glory.
Avvaiyar
brought Angavai and Sangavai, daughters of Pari to this temple to ward off the
enmity of the three kings against Pari and performed of their marriage very
peacefully. Hence, the kings are also installed in the temple with the symbols
of their flags – the bow, the tiger and the fish.
The
Pandya king picked pearls from the Tirumanimuthar River flowing near the
Karapuranathar temple and made a chain for Madurai Meenakshi which still shines
on her divine neck.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
The
temple is noted for festivals in all the 12 months of the year, Sukra (Venus)
worship, Pradosham and Chandi Homam.
Literary
Mention
The
place is known as Karapura in Dredhayuga and Cholapuri in Kaliyuga according to
Uthamacholapuram Karapuranathar Puranam. There is no information about the
author of this text.
According
to this book, the devotee could gain all the benefits in this birth and attain
Moksha (salvation) with his worship in this temple alone without going to other
temples, as Sun, Moon and the celestial beings surrender at the feet of
Karapuranathar.
The name
of Karapuranathar finds mention in the hymns of Tirugnanasambandar, Tirumoolar
and Arunagirinathar.
Prayers
Devotees
seek child boon, removal of obstacle in marriage alliances, progress in
education and protection from enemies. Devotees offer abishek and offer vastras
to God and Goddess.
Contact
Sri
Karapuranathar Temple,
Uthamacholapuram,
Salem District
Mobile: 97887 18970
Connectivity
Uthamacholapuram
is 5 km from Salem where Karapuranathar temple exists. The temple is on
the Salem - Sangagiri Main Road near Ariyanoor. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Salem & Nearest Airport is located at Trichy & Coimbatore.